Rear view worries

**CDFloss** · 27th April 2008, 00:03

Hey. I've got a GSX 250, and have enjoyed riding around most of this weekend so far - but I feel like the only thing slightly hindering my enjoyment is the lack of visibility behind me. The mirrors are the standard units, and Ive tried adjusting them several ways (some of which I've read about on these forums) - but I just cant see past my bloody shoulders/arms.
Even if I lean right to one side I can only just make out what's behind me on a straight road.

I'm not a small fellow (110kg'ish

), and my second home is in the gym, so I'm not super narrow in any case - is there some trick I'm missing out on, or should I be looking at some kind of super-duper-wide-freak aftermarket mirrors (if such a thing exists)?

Cheers
Dave

**xwhatsit** · 27th April 2008, 00:26

Yeah, bike mirrors are usually shit, and sportsbike ones wot attach to the top-fairing are often worse.

You can get big dumbo-ear ones that stick out, but I reckon a better solution is bar-end mirrors. I think they look rather cool, and you can see very easily. One possible drawback is that on certain bikes they tend to be a bit more blurry from vibration compared to stock mirrors, but the extra visibility is worth it.

I paid $30 or something for two of mine. EMGO, a popular and cheap brand of accessories produce a few different types -- almost any bike shop carries EMGO shit.

I think the pic I enclosed are Napoleon brand, but they're pretty similar to the EMGO ones.

You can get dinky little billet-machined round ones by CRG, they run up to $250 or so. Mental, but they are nice pieces of kit.

**PrincessBandit** · 27th April 2008, 09:14

Hey thanks for the info. The blurry image can't be any worse than it already is on the GN! (

). We probably should have gone for that ourselves, but it was actually cheaper to apply for the exemption to ride a larger bike

However, if another bike is not an option then those mirrors certainly would appear to do the trick.

**fizbin** · 27th April 2008, 09:16

Hey CD
I am prob about your size. 5'11 110kgs Only prob not a gym buff lol
I managed to get my GSX mirrors to a point were all i had to do was pull my elbows in a little, so it is poss but in saying that it did take me a good 2 weeks to find the right spot.

Keep trying man, and keep riding

**CookMySock** · 27th April 2008, 09:41

theres no way I can see past my elbows on my bike. I gotta tuck my arm in each side at a time to see past them.

If your glass is blurry, you should descale it. Ask at Mitre10 or somewhere for glass descaling stuff.

DB

**toebug** · 27th April 2008, 10:00

Mirrors are always shit on a bike and are only there to get a wof!

**homer** · 27th April 2008, 10:26

I dont go to the gym at all , and im not exactly narrow .

dosnt cost me anything either.

Any ways, something i got told long time back driving a truck .
when i took out the little walk sign lights at a set of traffic lights .
"A good soldier never looks behind"

**CDFloss** · 27th April 2008, 10:32

Sweet, thanks for that folks. Just back from another ride specifically to try different positions (the mirrors that is) - but still havent come right. Its ok on the motorways cos I can still see down either side, but Ive been suprised once or twice on normal roads when I thought I was alone but someone was right on my a$$.

If I have the mirrors angled as far out as they can go while still allowing me to see behind the bike, then I can just make cars out in the left mirror if I tuck my arm right in, lean like... this... and stick my head out.... this... way... (you get the idea).

I'm suprised there aren't more bikes with rear-view cameras, and a little 4 or 5" backlit screen by the speedo somewhere. But then again Im sure its just my noob-ness at play here. It didnt seem to worry me as much today, so I guess your awareness on the bike improves with experience.

Anyway, cheers for that. Hope the rain stays away (unlikely) so I can head out again later.

Dave

**xwhatsit** · 27th April 2008, 15:00

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

theres no way I can see past my elbows on my bike. I gotta tuck my arm in each side at a time to see past them.

If your glass is blurry, you should descale it. Ask at Mitre10 or somewhere for glass descaling stuff.

DB

Blurry from the vibes, not from the glass. Mirrors mounted on stems close to the switchblocks don't vibrate that much -- bar-end mirrors vibrate more because they're at the very ends of the bars (plus a bit more) and usually have poor direct-metal mountings. Especially noticeable on traditional-style clipons. Both engine vibration and road vibration.

At the end of the day, mirrors are pointless on a bike anyway. Turn your head. I only have one mirror (all you need legally, I think it has to be on the RHS though) and that's only there for a WoF.

**CookMySock** · 27th April 2008, 15:05

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Blurry from the vibes, not from the glass.

ahh, of course. My vtwin is like that under power.. nice and smooth otherwise.

DB

**toebug** · 28th April 2008, 20:02

Originally Posted by CDFloss

Ive been suprised once or twice on normal roads when I thought I was alone but someone was right on my a$$.

I'm suprised there aren't more bikes with rear-view cameras, and a little 4 or 5" backlit screen by the speedo somewhere. But then again Im sure its just my noob-ness at play here. It didnt seem to worry me as much today, so I guess your awareness on the bike improves with experience.

Dave

Ride faster!

Rear view cameras pass a wof too! get rid of the mirrors and get a camera!

**Subike** · 28th April 2008, 20:06

Originally Posted by toebug

Ride faster!

Rear view cameras pass a wof too! get rid of the mirrors and get a camera!

is that factual toebug?
a camera linked to a pait of mini led screens where your mirrors should be would be one awsome saftey advantage, 180" view of the road behind you.

Mind you, my xs's mirrors are good, I can see both lanes behind me at anytime unblocked by my seating position, so no one can sneek up on me lol

**CDFloss** · 28th April 2008, 20:21

Originally Posted by toebug

Ride faster!

Rear view cameras pass a wof too! get rid of the mirrors and get a camera!

Yeah yeah

Give me some time to get there! I've only done 150k's so far, but definately getting there.

Its funny, cos I had cars up my a$$ coming out of corners, or pulling away from stops because I was shifting like a nana. I wasnt letting it rev past about 3 - 5,000 RPM before changing! (must be my car driving ears kicking in)
Fixed now that I've realised the little red line is all the way up theeeere.

Just picked bike up from TSS for WOF and new rear tyre, and they'd adjusted (or maybe just bumped) the mirrors into about the best spot they've been so far. So its pretty good now. Although I was more concerned with riding for the first time on the wet stuff, in heavy traffic, in the near-dark, with a new rear on it as well. Phew! All went fine though.

**swbarnett** · 28th April 2008, 20:57

Originally Posted by toebug

Mirrors are always shit on a bike and are only there to get a wof!

Not always. The CB750 I had in the 80s (full fairing model) had mirrors that gave me a view from about 5m behind me out to two lanes either side (5 lanes in total) a couple of bike lengths behind that. They were very wide and the fairing they were attached to wasn't exactly narrow. Also, I think they may have been slightly curved.